#LightUpMBC for Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness
METAvivor Research & Support and Moore Fight Moore Strong launches the #LightUp-MBC campaign tonight in pink, teal and green to bring awareness and increase funding for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. MBC is a stage 4 breast cancer that spreads to other organs, has no cure, and is es-timated to kill over 42,000 Americans this year.
Today is National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, recognized by the New Jersey Senate and sever-al local governments through the state. Laura Inahara, Executive Director of Moore Fight Moore Strong, ex-plains, “The 115 landmarks that will illuminate this year represent the 115 lives lost every day to MBC in the U.S. alone. We hope that #LightUpMBC will not only spread awareness and raise funds, but also inspire peo-ple to truly want to make a difference for people living with MBC.”
Lauren Gonnella, a Summit resident, coordinated the lighting of a tree in Lyric Park on Beechwood Road. “MBC keeps me up at night,” said Lauren. “I have watched in awe for almost 8 years now as my sister, Trish Russo, fights for her life and the lives of other with MBC. Almost everyone I know is either living with cancer or loving someone with cancer. I cannot find the cure for MBC, but I can do this.” Tricia produced a well-known documentary about becoming a mother and discovering how to thrive and continue living your life with this terminal illness called Love Always, Mom. The film can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
The landmarks can be viewed across the globe via the #LightUpMBC Live virtual benefit at 8pm EST on Octo-ber 13th through @METAvivor Facebook Live and www.metavivor.org. Musical performers include John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls and David Bryan of Bon Jovi, who is also a Tony Award winner. #LightUpMBC Social Media Challenge: Who lights up your life? METAvivor asks that people publicly share a photo and/or story of someone who inspires them by posting on their social media channels with the dona- tion link: www.metavivor.org/LightUpMBC and using hashtags #LightUpMBC #METAvivor. By nominating friends to participate, you can help raise funds for MBC research. Go to the website: www.Metavivor.org/LightUpMBC to learn more. +++
About Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC)
Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is stage 4 breast cancer, for which there is no cure. Over 627,000 people die each year globally from MBC, with over 42,000 dying each year in the U.S. alone (115 per day). Metastatic breast cancer spreads mostly to the bones, liver, lungs and the brain, causing MBC patients to be in treatment for the rest of their lives – with only 22% of U.S. MBC patients living longer than 5 years. 20-30% of early stage breast cancers recur as stage 4 MBC. 98% of all breast cancer related deaths are from MBC, yet less than 5% of overall breast cancer funding is currently allocated to researching metastatic breast cancer.
About METAvivor and the Origin of the Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Ribbon:
METAvivor puts 100% of every donation toward stage 4 metastatic breast cancer research. Dedicated to the specific fight of men and women living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, it is a volunteer led, 501c3 non-profit organization that exclusively funds stage 4 MBC research with the goal of transitioning it from a terminal disease to a chronic condition with a good quality of life for patients.
The Origin of the MBC Ribbon: The pink ribbon is well-known for representing the fight against breast cancer but MBC patients feel invisible and forgotten in the pink ribbon campaigns. To highlight the uniqueness of the disease and show its commonality with other stage 4 cancers, METAvivor designed a base ribbon of green and teal to represent metastasis. Green represents the triumph of spring over win-ter, life over death, and symbolizes renewal, hope, and immortality while teal symbolizes healing and spir-ituality. The thin pink ribbon overlay signifies the metastatic cancer originated in the breast.
For more information on METAvivor and to donate, visit www.metavivor.org/lightupmbc and follow on @METAvivor on Facebook at www.facebook.com/metavivor and Instagram @metavivor
About Moore Fight Moore Strong
Moore Fight Moore Strong (MFMS) was formed in 2013 by family and friends who joined forces with a mission to support Jessica Moore who was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer (MBC) at the age of 32 and passed away 4 years later. MFMS supports Jess’ vision to shine a light on stage 4 MBC through a campaign called #LightUpMBC by partnering with landmarks to illuminate in the symbolic MBC colors of green, teal and pink. All proceeds raised through #LightUpMBC benefit METAvivor Research and Support.
For more information on Moore Fight Moore Strong, visit www.MooreFightMooreStrong.com and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MooreFightMooreStrong and Instagram @moorefightmoorestrong
